Transcoding TrueHD Help

Server Version#: 1.32.8.7639
Player Version#:
My normal plex client is on Nvidia Shield Pro with PMS on windows 11… no issues there.

My upstairs system is limited to 3.1.2 speaker layout via an Onkyo AVR that supports. TrueHD, Atmos and DTS:S but the medial players connected to it are 4K Firestick and Chromecast for GoogleTV 4K. The TV is 1080 and naturally does not support DV, HDR, etc. So the Video is “generally” handled by the media players w/o transcoding. However, most of my audio content is TrueHD 7.1 w/ Atmos and naturally since these devices can’t handle TrueHD, Plex is transcoding typically to OPUS.

What the AVR is telling me is that the input audio signal is ONLY PCM 2.0 (output will be whatever I set the Onkyo to do). My question is - why is that limited, vs something like PCM 5.1? Or is my AVR doing something with the signal from the media players? They are pretty consistent is making this conversion. They both handled DD+ EAC5.1 fine and pass ATMOS 3.1.2 thru.

Not sure I want to send $$$ on another Shield for a system with the limited speaker portfolio. Before I consider that, I want to see what the best I can expect from the current setup.

I also tried streaming iTunes and Vudu and I know they are limited to DD+, but I haven’t seen ATMOS from either and will go back and try the same content on my primary system w/ Nvidia.

There are two FireStick 4Ks - 1st gen (2018) and 2nd gen (2023).

  • Connect the FireStick to an HDMI input on the Onkyo.
  • Set FireStick audio to Best Available.
  • In the Plex app, set Passthrough = HDMI.

1st Gen: TrueHD will transcode. The FireStick should deliver it to the Onkyo as DD+ 5.1.

2nd Gen: It will passthrough TrueHD + Atmos to the Onkyo if the receiver supports the format.

Can’t help with CCwGTV. I’ve no experience with one.

Thanks, confirmed the device is 1st Gen;play content via Plex that is EAC3 5.1 w/ Atmos. it is being delivered as DD+ 5.1, no Atmos… even though the Firestick shows an ATMOS demo under the Display & Sound controls… of course that content also renders as just DD+ 5.1. Plex app is set to HDMI.

My plan is to move my Shield upstairs to test it on the Onkyo, which I guess would provide a “best case” of what I could expect out of that setup.

What is the FireStick audio setting?

Best Available. played EAC3 content displays shows DD+, Advanced Diagnostics clearly senses Atmos capable. I must be missing something
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As planned I moved the Shield Pro to this set up, it played everything w/o any transcoding and handled EAC3/Atmos, TrueHD/Atmos and DTS:X without an issue in each case mapping it to 3.1.2 Atmos or DTS:X. Now I remember why exactly I bought this after suffering thru FireStick and ATV w/ PLEX!!! So I’m expecting that if I want to use the same suite of media in my secondary location and achieve some semi-immersive sound, I’m going to have to spring for another Shield. Good News/Bad News

Not sure why EAC3/Atmos is not working on your FireStick.

If you want TrueHD/Atmos & DTS:X you’ll have to go with a Shield. The Gen2 FireStick 4K and 4K Max will passthrough TrueHD/Atmos. However, for any DTS format they only pass the lossy DTS core, so no -HD MA or :X.

I checked my system.

  • EAC3Atmos is passed correctly, both for Plex and when using the “Play Dolby Atmos…” video in the Diagnostics screen.
    For Plex, I’m using the second file from this Dolby site.
    Denon receiver displays “Dolby Atmos.”
    Plex Media Server shows Direct Play.

  • TrueHD 7.1 Atmos is transcoded by Plex Media Server to Opus 7.1. The FireStick passes it as EAC3 5.1.
    Denon receiver displays “Dolby Digital Plus” and input map shows 5.1 channels.


FireStick 4K 1st gen (AFTMM) → Denon AVR-X4300H → LG B7 OLED.

Plex app v10.5.0.4996 (current in Amazon app store).
Plex audio: passthrough = HDMI
FireStick audio: Best Available

Thanks, I’ll go back at it in a few days… need to rethink what could be wrong. This setup is really for my wife to get her out of the small Kitchen TV (so far a fail), also is the only 3D TV left (LG 65" passive glasses). I did run some test case with a 4K BR player and they setup played both UHD and HD discs with Atmos successfully, rendering 1080P and Atmos 3.1.2

The Chromecast for Google 4K is handling things best as I could be expected. I could swear I previously had seen DD+/Atmos on the Firestick. But I’m out of tweaks. I might start with deleting the PLEX client and reinstalling.

I’m wondering if Nvidia is prepping a new version finally, since I can’t find any retail stores with devices and the eBay prices are approaching Harmony Elite scales. The other Shield (The “Tube”) seems to still be available, but I’ve been cautioned to stay away from that in the past as a Plex Client.

I’ve not seen any rumors about a Shield update. CES, the huge consumer electronics show, is January 9-12, so if they were going to announce something, that would probably be the place.

The tube model reportedly has problems with high bit rate media such as 4K HDR remuxes, which can burst above 100 Mbps. From what I’ve read, it is OK with 1080p media, which tops out ~45 Mbps.

Found that Best Buy has the Shield in stock, ordered one and hope maybe a price decrease between now and the return deadline of 1/13/24! But prices on eBay still much higher. Given how small an audience there is for the Shield vs the rest of the Nvidia portfolio, can only hope they keep supporting the 2019 version and don’t do the Logitech Harmony dump.

I did delete and re-installed the Plex client and I’m now able to get EAC-3 content to play 3.1.2 Atmos. I didn’t change any settings on the stick and I didn’t change anything on the Plex client after the install.

Hi, I’m now discovering an issue where non of my TrueHD 5.1 or TrueHD 7.1 tracks will play or transcode at all across dozens of different films.

I’ve tried this on my iPhone and PC and neither will play them, as well as attempting to use the downloader on my iPhone will not download only the films with TrueHD.

I’ve attached my logs here:
Plex Media Server.log (32.1 KB)

really hoping I wont have to re-rip or remux all these movies for what seems to be a glitch with Plex.

@plumptree

There is not enough information in the log file.

  1. Re-enable debug logging. Do not enable verbose logging.
    Settings → Server_Name → General + Show Advanced.

  2. Reboot the server.

  3. Re-create the problem.

  4. Pull server log files.

  5. Open a new thread and attach the entire ZIP file.
    A new thread will have more visibility than posting to one that is 20+ days old.

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